Isotopes, Radioactive Decay and Half Life Flashcards
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the…:
same atomic number, different atomic mass
All elements have isotopes however….
Only a few are stable
Unstable isotopes turn into other elements through…
Radioactive decay, radiation is spat out by the nucleus to turn into other elements
The 3 types of Ionising radiation are
Alpha (α), Beta (β) and Gamma (γ)
Describe an Alpha Particle’s Key Features
- Helium Nuclei
- Alpha Particles from Nucleus
- 2 Neutrons, 2 Protons
- Low Penetrating Power
- Very Ionising
Describe an Beta Particle’s Key Features
- Comes from Fast moving Electrons
- -1 Charge
- Moderately Ionising
- Penetrating up to aluminium
- A neutron turns into a Proton
Describe an Gamma Particle’s 5 Key Features
- Comes from Electromagnetic Radiation
- Penetrates Far
- Weak ionising power
- Passes through without hitting atoms
- Absorbed by Lead or Concrete
In Alpha Decay Equations, what are the rules?
Balance the masses and atomic numbers, what goes in must come out.
Explain the rules for Beta Decay Equations
The neutron turns into a proton which releases an electron,
this increases the atomic number by 1 and gives us a beta particle.
This doesn’t change the mass
NEUTRON -> PROTON -> ELECTRON -> NUMBER +1
Radioactivity is measured in B
Becquerels - 1Bq is 1 decay per second
Every time decay occurs, a radioactive nucleus loses…
Partcicles
The mass number is the….
Sum of protons and neutrons
What is ‘ionising radiation’?
Radiation that has enough energy to ‘knock electrons off atoms’
What is the charge of a neutron?
0
Why aren’t irradiated medical instruments dangerous?
They don’t become radioactive
